When the first summer rains arrive, something extraordinary happens on Matetsi Private Game Reserve. The dry golden plains soften under the first showers, the earth exhales, and the wilderness shifts into a landscape refreshed by colour and life. Often referred to as the “Rainy Season,” the months from November to March bring dramatic summer storms that sweep across the terrain, filling the air with the scent of fresh rain and rumbling thunder.
Yet it is the moments after the rains that reveal the true essence of Emerald Season: sunlight breaking through sculpted clouds, new grasses emerging overnight, and a sense of calm settling over the reserve. Far from a low season, this is a time of abundance, beauty and remarkable tranquillity.
A Lush, Green Paradise
With the return of the rains, Matetsi Private Game Reserve undergoes one of its most striking transformations. Fresh green shoots spread across the plains, wildflowers dot the vlei, and natural pans refill with clear water that draws wildlife back to familiar pathways. The air carries the earthy scent that follows a passing storm and a refreshing coolness that lingers throughout the day. Even the Zambezi River, 15 km (9 miles) of which flows along the northern boundary of MPGR, feels renewed with the waters swelling from the season’s rainfall.
A Season of New Life
Emerald Season heralds a time of new beginnings across our 136,000-acre (55,000-hectare) private concession. Newborn impala, zebra, warthog and giraffe take their first delicate steps, staying close to their mothers as they quickly adapt to the rhythms of the bush. Small “nursery groups” form in the open plains, where calves and foals play and explore under vigilant watch.
Large elephant herds move gracefully through the rejuvenated landscape, feasting on fresh vegetation and guiding their young with gentle assurance. The air is alive with activity too, as migratory birds return and resident species burst into full breeding plumage.
There is a softness to the bush at this time of year: nurturing, life-filled and deeply moving. For many guests, these tender moments with new life become some of the most unforgettable experiences of their time in this veritable garden of Eden.
If you would like to learn more about the wildlife sightings that shape this extraordinary season, you are welcome to visit our seasonal sightings report.
Returning Home
As the first rains fall across the Victoria Falls region, the skies above this vast wilderness come alive with the arrival of migratory birds returning from distant corners of the world. Avian travellers from Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa flood back into the Zambezi landscape, bringing colour, movement and the unmistakable soundtrack of summer.
Across our mosaic of riverine forests and open plains, a rich variety of these seasonal visitors can be seen. Along the riverbanks, the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater dazzles with its yellow-green plumage and vivid blue cheeks. Having travelled thousands of kilometres to reach Southern Africa, these highly aerial hunters sweep out in graceful arcs to snatch insects mid-flight, adding a luminous flash of colour to the river edges.
From the skies overhead, the Steppe Buzzard arrives after one of the longest migrations of any raptor as they embark on an astonishing journey from Eastern Europe and Central Asia to Southern Africa. They are frequently found perched on termite mounds or gliding low over the savannah, adding a dramatic presence to the summer landscape.
And then there is the Woodland Kingfisher, one of the true heralds of the rainy season. With electric-blue wings and its distinctive red and black bill, it returns with the first storms, filling the bush with its iconic trilling call. It is bold, brilliant and full of character, and is often heard long before it is seen.
Enjoy Emerald Season with Us
For those planning a visit during this magical period, a number of seasonal offers are available for specific travel windows – including a phenomenal “Stay 3 nights & enjoy your third night on us”. These specials provide wonderful opportunities to extend your stay or experience Matetsi Victoria Falls in a new way.
To stay connected with us at Matetsi Victoria Falls, we invite you to follow us on Instagram and Facebook, where we share our latest updates, wildlife sightings and moments of Matetsi Magic from the banks of the Zambezi.
